Finney Thayer

By Finney Thayer of The Pathfinder

January 19, 2026

I refuse to be constrained by gender binaries and societal norms.

After all, that would leave me a dull, shapeless form.

Maybe I can truly be free to be me,

And one, my heart, my soul will be.

Though I will get odd looks, judgemental sneers, and piercing stares,

I will be no worse for wear.

Grieving for the loss of a daughter, they say;

Even so, I cannot stay.

Rather, I must fly free as a bird to explore this world, finally rid of the shackles

holding me back.

By Finney Thayer of The Pathfinder

January 19, 2026

Why are they constricted

To choosing between blue and pink?

What if those colors don’t match their paintings?

Instead, it hides the true hues of their soul.

A tangled web of bright shades exists,

If one were to strip away the unneeded top layer.

It suffocates their creativity.

Forcing them to conform,

To fall between the lines,

Never straying out

And exploring what is different.

However, that outside wall begins to crack;

Pieces, brightly colored chips, flutter away,

Gentle hands help peel them back.

They open their eyes to a whole new world,

Vibrant hues kiss their skin,

Hugging, embracing them.

Their life,

No longer controlled by this or that,

Has opened up beyond the binary.

A whole palette of colors is available

For them to use on their painting.